The Issue Is

By The Issue Is

What's The Issue Is about?

Discussions and debates with top newsmakers about the most controversial and interesting issues impacting California, hosted by FOX 11’s Elex Michaelson and airing on several TV stations across the state.

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The Issue Is episodes:

04.20.2024
340: Metta World Peace, Harvey Levin
This week, Elex is joined by NBA champion and former Laker Metta World Peace and TMZ founder Harvey Levin.
04.13.2024
339: Gloria Allred, Wally Adeyemo
This week, Gloria Allred joins Elex to discuss OJ Simpson's complicated legacy. Wally Adeyemo, Deputy Treasury Secretary, also joins the show to assess the state of the U.S. economy.
04.06.2024
338: Bill Melugin, Andrew Gruel, Michael Tubbs
This week, Elex is joined by FOX News correspondent Bill Melugin, celebrity chef Andrew Gruel and former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs.
03.30.2024
337: Frank Luntz and Katie Porter
This week, Elex Michaelson is joined by pollster and strategist Frank Luntz and Rep. Katie Porter.
03.23.2024
336: Jane Fonda, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tulsi Gabbard, Gavin Newsom
A jam-packed week on "The Issue Is" as Elex is joined by Jane Fonda, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tulsi Gabbard and Gavin Newsom.
03.16.2024
335: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Sen. Alex Padilla
This week on our political show “The Issue Is"…a conversation with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and California Senator Alex Padilla. ————— The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson is California's only statewide political show. For showtimes and more information, go to TheIssueIsShow.com.
03.09.2024
334: Adam Schiff, Brian Goldsmith, Mike Murphy
This week, Elex recaps Super Tuesday, President Biden's State of the Union address and the ongoing march to the Nov. 2024 general election.
03.02.2024
333: Melanie Mason, Peter Hamby
March 5 is the California primary and to break it all down, Elex is joined by Peter Hamby of Puck News and Melanie Mason of Politico.
02.24.2024
332: Bill Melugin, Rep. Dean Phillips, Rep. Katie Porter
Bill Melugin on the situation at the border, how Texas and California are handling the crisis differently, the failed senate border bill. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) on his primary challenge to President Biden, Biden's chances against former president Trump and a...
02.17.2024
331: Alex Padilla, Matt Mahan, Areva Martin
This week, Elex is joined by California's Senator Alex Padilla, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and civil rights attorney Areva Martin.
02.11.2024
330: The Issue Is Podcast: Nikki Haley, Christina Pascucci
This week, Elex is joined by Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley and Senate candidate Christina Pascucci.
02.03.2024
329: Kamala Harris, Alex Padilla
This week, Elex is joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Alex Padilla.
01.27.2024
328: Adam Schiff, Jan. 2024
Rep. Adam Schiff joins Elex this week on The Issue Is to recap the U.S. Senate debate.
01.27.2024
328: Nancy Pelosi, Jan. 2024
This week, Elex is joined by Speaker Emirata Nancy Pelosi as she endorsed Senate candidate Adam Schiff.
01.27.2024
328: U.S. Senate Debate
This week, we recap the U.S. Senate debate that featured Rep. Adam Schiff (D), baseball legend Steve Garvey (R), Rep. Katie Porter (D) and Rep. Barbara Lee (D)
01.20.2024
327: Barbara Lee, Eric Early, David Petraeus
The race for the U.S. Senate in California is heating up. This week, Elex is joined by Senate candidates Barbara Lee and Eric Early. Retired Four-Star General David Petraeus joins the show to address the threat of China.
01.13.2024
326: Katie Porter, Jan. 2024
As we are just days from the first televised debate of California's 2024 Senate race, Elex is joined by Senate Candidate Katie Porter.
01.13.2024
326: Peter Hamby, Jan. 2024
Political journalist Peter Hamby previews the 2024 California Senate race.
01.06.2024
325: Chris Matthews, Jan. 2024
Political commentator Chris Matthews previews the 2024 California Senate race.
01.06.2024
324: Melanie Mason, Bob Shrum, Chris Matthews
This week, "The Issue Is" previews the upcoming debate in California's 2024 Senate race.
12.16.2023
323: Gavin Newsom, Dec. 2023
The countdown is on, less than three months until California voters head to the polls for the 2024 primary.
12.09.2023
322: Karen Bass, Dec. 2023
Karen Bass reflects on her first year in office as the Mayor of Los Angeles.
12.02.2023
321: Mike Murphy, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Magic Johnson
This week, a clash of personalities as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis faced off in a highly-publicized debate on FOX News.
11.18.2023
320: Kevin Kiley, Brian Goldsmith, Lynn Vavreck
A historic week in California, as Governor Gavin Newsom, President Joe Biden, and the city of San Francisco welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference. The summit, not without controversy, as some criticized the...
11.11.2023
319: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nov. 2023
This week, a special edition of "The Issue Is," as Elex Michaelson works out at the iconic Gold's Gym with former California Governor, Mr. Olympia, and all-around superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger.
11.04.2023
318: Gavin Newsom in China
This week, “The Issue is” heads to China for a very special episode. Elex Michaelson was the only local TV reporter to travel to the Middle Kingdom to document Governor Gavin Newsom’s historic week-long journey there, focused on climate.
10.14.2023
317: Alex Padilla, Laphonza Butler
Elex Michaelson is joined by both of California's Senators, Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler.
10.07.2023
316: George Gascón, Oct. 2023
Elex sits down with George Gascón as the Los Angeles County DA discusses the zero cash bail policy, which kicked in October 1.
10.07.2023
315: Nancy Pelosi, Young Kim
This week, Rep. Kevin McCarthy became the first House Speaker to be ousted by his own conference. Elex sat down with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA) to get their reactions.
09.30.2023
314: Gavin Newsom on GOP Debate
California Governor Gavin Newsom reacts to the second GOP Presidential debate, which took place in Simi Valley.
09.23.2023
313: Dan Schnur, Lynn Vavreck
This week, Dan Schnur and Lynn Vavreck look ahead to 2024.
09.16.2023
312: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Elex goes one-on-one with Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The environmental lawyer discusses his primary challenge to President Joe Biden, his thoughts on COVID, the growing immigration crisis at the U.S. Southern Border, family, misconceptions about him, and much more....
09.16.2023
312: Doug Burgum
Elex is joined in studio by North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. Burgum, a Republican, talks energy and China policies, basketball, as well as how he plans to break-through in a primary field dominated by Former President Trump, currently leading the...
09.09.2023
311: Ro Khanna, Chris Matthews
Rep. Ro Khanna responds to concerns about President Biden's age. Political commentator Chris Matthews weighs in on Trump's dominance in the GOP Primary.
09.02.2023
310: Bob Shrum, Melanie Mason, Toni Atkins
This week on "The Issue Is," Elex Michelson is joined by the all-start political panel of legendary Democratic strategist Bob Shrum and Politico writer Melanie Mason. Next, Michaelson is joined by California Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins.
08.26.2023
309: Karen Bass, Steve Hilton
This week, Elex sits down with Mayor Karen Bass to discuss LA homeless crisis. Then, he is joined by Fox News Contributor Steve Hilton to discuss his efforts to save California.
08.19.2023
308: Vivek Ramaswamy, Bret Baier
This week on "The Issue Is," Elex Michaelson looks ahead to the 2024 Presidential election.
08.12.2023
307: Tony Thurmond, Katie Couric
This week on "The Issue Is," Elex Michaelson sits down with California's Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond to discuss education controversies across the state. Then, Michaelson is joined by legendary journalist Katie Couric to discuss the latest "Stand Up...
08.05.2023
306: Juju Smith-Schuster, Anthony Munoz, Marquise Lee
08.05.2023
305: Clayton and Ellen Kershaw, Juju Smith-Schuster
This week, Elex is joined by Clayton and Ellen Kershaw and Juju Smith-Schuster.
07.29.2023
304: Jen Siebel Newsom, Alex Padilla, David Ambroz
This week on "The Issue Is," Elex Michaelson sits down with California's first partner Jen Siebel Newsom to discuss California's efforts to address childhood mental health, California Senator Alex Padilla on his legislation to help workers from heat-related injuries, and...
07.22.2023
303: James Gallagher
Elex Michaelson is joined by State Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher.
07.22.2023
302: Marianne Williamson
Democratic Presidential Candidate Marianne Williamson joins Elex in The Issue Is.
07.15.2023
301: Brian Goldsmith, Dan Schnur, Elizabeth Wagmeister
This week, Elex is joined by political analysts Brian Goldsmith and Dan Schnur to discuss the politics of crime in California. Variety's Elizabeth Wagmeister reacts to the SAG-AFTRA strike and the Hollywood shutdown.
07.08.2023
300: Isaac Bryan, Jessica Naziri, Katie Roof
This week on “The Issue Is,” the newest power players in the worlds of social media and California politics.
07.01.2023
299: Rick Caruso, Peter Hamby, Mike Murphy
Peter Hamby is the co-founder of Puck News. Mike Murphy is a longtime Republican strategist who has advised the likes of John McCain, Jeb Bush, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Former LA Mayoral candidate Rick Caruso also joins the show.
06.24.2023
298: Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Matt Friend
This week on “The Issue Is,” Elex Michaelson sits down with outgoing California Assemblyman Anthony Rendon to discuss his tenure as Speaker, his relationship with his successor, education funding, homelessness, and his future. Then, comedian Matthew Friend and his repertoire...
06.17.2023
297: Exclusive interview with Gov. Gavin Newsom
This week, an exclusive sit-down with California Governor Gavin Newsom. This, as Newsom to Southern California for a pair of events related to Pride month.
06.03.2023
296: Rep. Barbara Lee; Tomi Lahren vs. Ethan Bearman debate
This week, Elex is joined by Rep. Barbara Lee as she discusses voting against the proposed debt ceiling deal. Also this week, a debate between Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren and Progressive attorney Ethan Bearman.
05.27.2023
295: Larry Elder, Brian Tyler Cohen
This week, Elex catches up with Larry Elder and Brian Tyler Cohen as they both look ahead to the 2024 Presidential Election.

What's The Issue Is about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Issue Is episodes:

340: Metta World Peace, Harvey Levin

339: Gloria Allred, Wally Adeyemo

338: Bill Melugin, Andrew Gruel, Michael Tubbs

337: Frank Luntz and Katie Porter

336: Jane Fonda, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tulsi Gabbard, Gavin Newsom

335: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Sen. Alex Padilla

334: Adam Schiff, Brian Goldsmith, Mike Murphy

333: Melanie Mason, Peter Hamby

332: Bill Melugin, Rep. Dean Phillips, Rep. Katie Porter

331: Alex Padilla, Matt Mahan, Areva Martin

330: The Issue Is Podcast: Nikki Haley, Christina Pascucci

329: Kamala Harris, Alex Padilla

328: Adam Schiff, Jan. 2024

328: Nancy Pelosi, Jan. 2024

328: U.S. Senate Debate

327: Barbara Lee, Eric Early, David Petraeus

326: Katie Porter, Jan. 2024

326: Peter Hamby, Jan. 2024

325: Chris Matthews, Jan. 2024

324: Melanie Mason, Bob Shrum, Chris Matthews

323: Gavin Newsom, Dec. 2023

322: Karen Bass, Dec. 2023

321: Mike Murphy, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Magic Johnson

320: Kevin Kiley, Brian Goldsmith, Lynn Vavreck

319: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nov. 2023

318: Gavin Newsom in China

317: Alex Padilla, Laphonza Butler

316: George Gascón, Oct. 2023

315: Nancy Pelosi, Young Kim

314: Gavin Newsom on GOP Debate

313: Dan Schnur, Lynn Vavreck

312: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

312: Doug Burgum

311: Ro Khanna, Chris Matthews

310: Bob Shrum, Melanie Mason, Toni Atkins

309: Karen Bass, Steve Hilton

308: Vivek Ramaswamy, Bret Baier

307: Tony Thurmond, Katie Couric

306: Juju Smith-Schuster, Anthony Munoz, Marquise Lee

305: Clayton and Ellen Kershaw, Juju Smith-Schuster

304: Jen Siebel Newsom, Alex Padilla, David Ambroz

303: James Gallagher

302: Marianne Williamson

301: Brian Goldsmith, Dan Schnur, Elizabeth Wagmeister

300: Isaac Bryan, Jessica Naziri, Katie Roof

299: Rick Caruso, Peter Hamby, Mike Murphy

298: Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Matt Friend

297: Exclusive interview with Gov. Gavin Newsom

296: Rep. Barbara Lee; Tomi Lahren vs. Ethan Bearman debate

295: Larry Elder, Brian Tyler Cohen